30 August 2012

New WEA post renews focus on social justice

by Lauren Belcher

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has recently announced the appointment of commissioner Christine MacMillan to the newly-created position of senior advisor for social justice.

This exciting appointment promises a renewed focus on social justice at the WEA, as in her new position Commissioner MacMillan will be able to strengthen the organisation's engagement with issues of social justice by providing leadership advice and coordinating their initiatives.

Commissioner MacMillan promises to bring a great deal of experience to her new position, having worked in areas of social justice for the last 30 years.

Already she has been WEA’s spokesperson on human trafficking and was part of launching their Global Human Trafficking Task Force in 2009. Moreover, until July this year she worked for the Salvation Army as their first director of the international social justice commission of the Salvation Army.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general of the WEA, announced that: "We are thrilled that Commissioner Christine MacMillan has joined our WEA team.

“She brings tremendous experience, wisdom and biblical insight. Christine will serve as a highly valued member of our team as we seek to discern how we as evangelical Christians respond to the injustices in our fractured world."

The newly-formed role involves advising WEA’s commissions and initiatives, ensuring they have biblical foundations and discovering where they may work together.

Commissioner MacMillan will also play a key role as a public spokesperson and strengthen the WEA’s relationship with the United Nations, global institutions and national governments.

The appointment suggests an exciting future of further engagement with issues of social justice for the WEA.

The importance of which is highlighted by a quote from Commissioner Christine Macmillan herself, who on her appointment said: “My role with the World Evangelical Alliance anticipates viewing issues at depth with those who experience injustice.

“When social justice is the measure then people's names and stories are what counts. The Jesus of Good News is propelling the Church to live right while righting wrongs.”